Matheny, however, will be recognized as a special guest. A graduate of Concord High School, Matheny won the 2011 Oscar for Best Live Action Short for "God of Love."

The Jaycees Parade will also include Salesianum School alum Tim Furlong, reporter for NBC 10 in Philadelphia. There will be marching bands from Salesianum and Cab Calloway School of the Arts in addition to the Duffy and Woodland string bands from Philadelphia. There will be military, police and fire units along with community groups who dance, sing, cheer and march. TV favorites like Tigger, Elmo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer and Scooby-Doo will be on hand as will floats and antique cars. And, of course, Santa will be king of the event.

Children at the parade are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and have it collected by Santa's helpers who'll walk the parade route. (Children should provide their address if they'd like a reply.) The Wilmington Jaycees will work with Santa and his elves to make every effort to answer each letter, according to the Jaycees website.

Parade route

The parade will start at 3 p.m., at 5th and Market Street in Wilmington. It will proceed up Market and stop briefly at the Grandstand at 10th Street, and then end at 11th and Market.

This annual event is designed to bring the community together and to promote economic development in downtown Wilmington. The parade serves as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

In the event of rain, announcements for a delayed start will be made on local stations.

IF YOU GO

WHAT 49th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Parade

WHEN 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24

WHERE Parade starts at 5th and Market Street in Wilmington; refer to "Parade route" in story for more info